Real Betis and Chelsea meet in the final of the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League season at Stadion Wrocław in Wrocław, Poland, on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time.
Seville outfit Betis had never advanced beyond the last 16 of any competition before this season. On the other hand, Chelsea have won two UEFA Champions League titles, two UEFA Europa Leagues and two European Cup Winners’ Cups, and could become the first team to claim all four major UEFA club knockout honours if they win in Wroclaw.
Real Betis might be playing in their first European final, but they have experience all around the team. 33-year-old creative midfielder Isco (a four-time UEFA Champions League final winner with Real Madrid), and coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has in-depth knowledge of English football, where he won a league title at Manchester City. Betis also have a Conference League winner in their ranks – midfielder Pablo Fornals won the competition with West Ham in 2022/23.
The Spanish side started the UECL campaign with a qualification playoff against lowly-rated Kryvbas, and they won 5-0 on aggregate to book their spot in the group stages. Los Verdiblancos failed to win any of their first two games as they lost to Legia on match day one before playing out a 1-1 draw with Copenhagen. On match day three, Betis had to dig deep to beat Celje at home 2-1 for their first win of the UECL season. They won two of the next three games to get their campaign back on track and book a spot in the knockout playoffs stage of the competition.
Los Verdiblancos played their best game yet, as they defeated Belgian outfit Gent 3-1 on aggregate to progress. In the following round, they faced Portuguese side Vitoria and they won 6-2 on aggregate. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Antony, Isco, and Bakambu (brace) scored to turn the tie on its head. In the next stage, the Spanish outfit defeated Jagiellonia Białystok 3-1 in a tight affair to reach the last four. Real Betis reached their first European final, as Abde Ezzalzouli’s extra-time goal secured a 4-3 aggregate victory over Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League. On the home front in La Liga, Betis are guaranteed to play in Europe next term.
On the other hand, Chelsea missed out on Europe in the previous season, but made it to the UECL under Mauricio Pochettino. However, he was shown the exit door, and Enzo Maresca came on board after a fantastic work at Leicester City. In the Premier League, the Blues have blown hot and cold, but they are still in the race for a Champions League spot for next season at the time of writing.
Despite several rotations, the Blues have dominated the Conference League this season. Many would say it is a European competition not meant for them, but they are there already. The London side booked their place in the group stage after a 3-2 win over Servette in the playoffs. In the group stages, the Blues racked up six wins out of six, scoring 26 goals and conceding just five. Chelsea finished top of the rankings and were favourites to reach the final, and even claim the title. The Blues defeated Copenhagen, Legia, and Djurgården in that order in the knockout stages to reach the final in Poland.
At the time of writing, Betis have lost just once in their past 10 games in all competitions. Meanwhile, the Blues have lost twice over the same period.
Chelsea have fond memories of their previous encounters with Betis (W3 L1). In the most significant of them, Gianluca Vialli’s Blues overcame Luis Aragonés’ Betis in the quarter-finals of the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup on the way to winning the trophy.
Match tickets
This match at Stadion Wrocław in Wrocław starts on Wednesday, 28th May 2025, at 20:00 GMT+1.
The 45,105-capacity stadium is the venue for this year’s Conference League final between the Spanish side and the English side.
Getting Real Betis v Chelsea tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Manuel Pellegrini is not expected to have the injured trio of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, and Chimy Avila available for this final. Former Arsenal man Hector Bellerin is also on the absentee list after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in last week’s semi-final extra-time win over Fiorentina. Meanwhile, the Chilean manager still has the likes of Cardoso, Bakambu, Antony, and Isco available to call upon for this season-defining game.
Real Betis possible XI: Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Lo Celso; Antony, Isco, Fornals; Bakambu.
Enzo Maresca has rotated his large squad for the Europa League a lot this season, and with this being the final, he might opt for his regulars. In terms of the absentees, Wesley Fofana is ruled out for the season, while Christopher Nkunku continues to miss games for the Blues.
Chelsea possible XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez (c); Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson.
Prediction
Betis are chasing a first European silverware in their first final appearance. There will be nerves and tension, but they have a squad capable of going all the way. With multiple losses already, they know how to react, and that will be the plan in this final. Meanwhile, it is important to get Chelsea tickets for this huge final on time.
Chelsea have won it all in Europe except the UECL, and another triumph here will cement their place as the only club to have claimed everything. Maresca’s side have been barely tested in the Conference League as a whole, so this provides a huge test for them. The Blues have lost just once throughout the competition and will be confident coming into this one. \
With the stakes high, it might be difficult to call this final. The lottery of penalties might even be needed to determine the winner of this one
Real Betis 1-1 Chelsea
